ABOUT THE TEAM

A total of 22 students in a ninth grade Earth and Space Science class are participating. United Jr/Sr High School is located in Armagh, PA, which is about 45 miles east of Pittsburgh.

STEPS IN THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE

Step 1 - Preliminary Questions

*We started with 11 groups. Each group had 2 students. They were permitted to conduct preliminary research on any type of land form.

1. How long does it take a yardang to form?
2. How much do glaciers change over a course of a month?
3. Does the region around a volcano affect the color of lava?
4. How does cooled lava weather over time?
5. How long have glaciers existed?
6. Are animal populations affected by deforestation?
7. How do volcanoes change after an eruption?
8. How quickly does a delta form?
9. How do glaciers form?
10. Are there different yardang patterns?
11. How deep are impact craters?

Step 2 - Initial Observations

Image ID #	Latitude	Longitude	Glacier Type	Location	Date Acquired	Focal Length	Observations
ISS022-E-100374	45.9	6.3	Mountain	France	20100317	85mm	Large, many peaks
ISS023-E39522	-43.5	172.4	Valley	New Zealand	20100511	800mm	White with water in the valley
ISS022-E-58880	41.0	77.3	Valley	Kazakhstan	20100202	38mm	Water filled depressions
ISS017-E-5562	39.6	-127.6	Ice field	California, USA	20080427	17mm	Clouds covering image

*After some debate, my class decided to focus their research on volcanoes and the affect they can have on the environment.

Step 3 - Background Research

Specific Data/Metadata Students Will Research and Log
1) Weather data before eruptions for region
2) Weather data after eruptions for region
3) Date of Eruption
4) Location (Latitude and Longitude)
5) Type of Eruption
6) Size of Volcano
7) Global Weather
8) Abnormal Weather Patterns
9) Amount of Ash Produced During Eruptions
10) Type of Volcano

Karymsky Volcano, Russia
Lat: 54.05 N
Long:159.43 E
Type: Stratovolcano
Status: Active
Last Eruption: June 30, 2010
Caldera: 5km
Height: 5,039 ft
Age: 200 years old

Step 4 - Experiment Design

Final Research Question: How do volcanoes affect global weather
Hypothesis: Volcanic eruptions with massive ash plumes will reduce global temperatures.

Sources:
1) www.volcano.si.edu
2) www.usgs.gov/science/science.php?term=1209&type=feature
3) www.volcanolive.com
4) http://scienceblogs.com
5) http://www.avo.alaska.edu
6) http://en.wikipedia.org
7) http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
8) http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/ares/eeab/index.cfm
9) http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/volcanoes/vclimate.html
10) http://www.highlightskids.com/Science/ScienceQuestions/h1sciQvolcanoes.asp
11) http://geology.sdu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/climate_effects.html
12) http://earthfromspace.com/
13) http://www.volcanolive/karymsky.html
14) Google Earth
15) http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/earth_warm.html

Step 5 - Collect and Compile Data

Step 6 - Display Data

Step 7 - Analyze and Interpret Data

Step 8 - Draw Conclusions

Step 9 - Share Research

GLOSSARY

REFERENCES

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